The Garage 308

NEWS 12
Back to the front
Gulf returns to global aftermarket
One of the most
iconic motorsport
brands, Gulf Racing
Fuels, has announced
its global
return, offering a range of
high-quality fuels across a
number of disciplines.
Gulf Racing Fuels will supply
the race, rally, road and
historic markets globally
across all levels – from amateur
motorsport and aftermarket
sales, to the highest
levels of international professional
competition and
OEMs. Its product portfolio
includes both leaded and
unleaded fuels, with various
impressive octane and
performance levels suitable
for both turbocharged and
naturally aspirated engines.
“The Gulf brand is linked
with winning, whatever the
category or discipline. It
truly is a name that rings
through the ages,” commented
Mark Ticen, director
of operations, Gulf
Racing Fuels. “Our desire
for innovation and passion
for excellence will see Gulf
Racing Fuels deliver performance
advantage to race
teams, amateur racers and
the aftermarket, through
high-quality fuels and an
unrivalled depth of technical
expertise – all backed by
the iconic blue and orange
colour scheme recognised
around the world.”
Gulf Racing Fuels is
launching its fuel blends to
market globally via a dedicated
blending facility in
Europe. Race, rally, performance
and historic fuels
are now all available, with
each product tailored to the
unique requirements of the
specific series.
“An engine’s overall performance
is dependent on
a number of factors, including
what fuel you choose to
run. It is this understanding
which the Gulf brand has
perfected over more than a
century of intense research
and development,” continued
Ticen. “Gulf Racing Fuels
couples that approach
with unrivalled customer
service that differentiates us
from the rest of the grid. Our
main aim, linked with our
passion, is to ensure that
everyone who uses Gulf Racing
Fuels exceeds ambitions,
be it quicker lap times, race
success or engine efficiency
and performance.”
Thousands of MOT testers face suspension
as training and assessment deadline nears
More than 50% of MOT testers
have now completed their annual
training and assessment but DVSA is
today (20 February) urging the rest to
do so or face being suspended.
With just over a month to go
until the 31 March deadline, DVSA
figures show that 30,950 testers still
need to complete the training and
assessment. Last year, 1,882 were
suspended for failing to do so. This
compares to 5,538 suspensions in
2018.
Every year, all 63,000 MOT testers
have to carry out training and
assessment on set topics to make
sure they are competent and safe to
carry out MOTs.
DVSA Product Manager, Simon
Smith said:
“DVSA’s priority is to help everyone
keep their vehicle safe to drive.
“Annual training and assessment
is a vital part of continuous
improvement to maintain high quality
MOTs. Last year more testers than
ever completed their training and
assessment on time.
“But to avoid the last-minute rush,
testers should record their training
and assessment results well before
31 March. We’re really pleased with
the improvement from last year and
I’d like to thank all those testers who
did so.”
Annual training and assessment was
introduced in 2016 as a programme of
continuous improvement for testers
so they are well informed about the
work they do and keep up to date
with new technology and industry
requirements.
Further information
Currently, 30,950 testers still
need to do their annual training and
assessment to avoid being suspended
from testing.
If suspended from testing, testers
will need to complete all next year’s
topics and take a demonstration test
to be able to return to testing. This will
lead to a delay while they are waiting
to take a demonstration test.
Testers need to do at least 3 hours
of training each year and a total of 16
hours in 5 years.
The pass mark for the assessment
is 70%. This will increase to 80% for
2020 to 2021.
Current training topics - www.gov.
uk/mot-tester-training-assessments/
training
The assessment consists of 30
multiple-choice questions and
usually takes around 45 minutes to
complete. If any trainers are dyslexic,
they should contact their awarding
organisation.
Testers need to check they record
their assessment details correctly
and match their MOT testing service
profile.
Testers can train individually, in a
group or on a course with a training
provider.
DVSA takes a flexible approach to
training so testers don’t have to do it
all in the workplace. The assessment
is online so testers can do their
assessment at home if they wish.
They can also use their notes and
MOT inspection manual during the
assessment.
12, 13 News.indd 1 25/02/2020 09:27